Stranger warning as couple attempt to lure boy, 10, into their car at Denbigh

Dec 22 2008 By Justine Bailey

A COUPLE tried to lure a 10-year-old boy into the back of their car as he walked home from school.

Parents and children are being warned to be on the lookout for strangers prowling round Denbigh.

The boy was on his way home from an after school club at Ysgol Frongoch when the man and woman in a 4x4 pulled up alongside him on the Colomendy Estate.

The man gestured towards the back seat but the boy ran to tell his parents, who alerted North Wales Police.

Police are treating the attempted abduction as "suspicious" and are carrying out enquiries.

Last night officers praised the actions of the youngster.

A North Wales Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm we had a call just before 5pm reporting that a 4x4 had pulled up next to a schoolboy as he was walking home on Friday, December 12.

"One of the two people in the vehicle, was reported to have gestured to the boy to get inside.

The boy refused and made his way home where he raised the alarm."

She added: "To date, no further reports of suspicious behaviour have been reported to the police since Friday, however we are continuing to appeal to anyone with information to get in touch.

"Similarly, we are also appealing to the driver and occupant of the 4x4 to come forward and contact police in a bid to eliminate them from inquires.

"We would like to praise the boy for acting responsibly, for continuing on his journey home where he did the right thing and raised the alarm."

In her letter to parents, Ysgol Frongoch headteacher Ruth Thackray describes the incident and apologises to parents for delivering "negative news".

She adds: "I would not want to frighten any parent but I feel we should all be extra careful, especially in darker evenings and certainly staff will be extra vigilant on door duty at the end of the day."

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 0845 607 1001 (Welsh) 0845 607 1002 (English) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.